Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 179 (Thursday, September 18, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44964-44967]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-18087]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0742; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00682-T; 
Amendment 39-23133; AD 2025-18-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-02-
14, which applied to certain Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes. AD 2020-02-14 required a one-time inspection of the oxygen 
containers and adjacent panels and applicable corrective actions. Since 
the FAA issued AD 2020-02-14, it was determined that additional 
airplanes may be affected by the same unsafe condition. This AD 
continues to require the actions in AD 2020-02-14 and expands the 
applicability to include additional airplanes. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 23, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 23, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0742; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material 
identified in this AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 
Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email [email protected]. 
You may find this material on the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    <bullet> For Airbus material identified in this AD, contact Airbus 
SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 31700 
Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 93 45 
80; email airbus.com">continued-airworthiness.a350@airbus.com; website airbus.com.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des 
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0742.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole Tsang, Aviation Safety 
Engineer,

[[Page 44965]]

FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3959; 
email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2020-02-14, Amendment 39-19828 (85 FR 6757, 
February 6, 2020) (AD 2020-02-14). AD 2020-02-14 applied to certain 
Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 airplanes. AD 2020-02-14 required a 
one-time inspection of the oxygen containers and adjacent panels, and 
applicable corrective actions. The FAA issued AD 2020-02-14 to address 
damaged and unlocked fasteners of the oxygen containers and adjacent 
panels in the passenger supply channels (PSCs), which could result in 
insufficient clearance between the oxygen container and adjacent panels 
and prevent the opening of the oxygen containers, and consequent 
failure of the oxygen masks to deploy and provide supplemental oxygen 
in case of an in-flight decompression, possibly resulting in injury to 
cabin occupants.
    The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 29, 2025 
(90 FR 17743). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2024-0220, dated November 
20, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0220) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by 
EASA, which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the 
European. The MCAI states that since EASA AD 2019-0210, dated August 
26, 2019, was issued, it was determined that additional A350 
manufacturer serial numbers (airplanes) may be affected by the same 
unsafe condition.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to continue to require the actions in 
AD 2020-02-14 and expand the applicability to include additional 
airplanes, as specified in EASA AD 2024-0220. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-0742.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from an anonymous commenter who 
supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2024-0220, which specifies procedures for 
inspecting the oxygen containers and the installation of adjacent 
panels located in all PSCs, to check that each fastener of each panel/
component is locked and to measure the clearance between the oxygen 
container door lid and the adjacent panel/component. EASA AD 2024-0220 
also describes procedures for applicable corrective actions, including 
attaining minimum clearance, locking any unlocked fasteners, and 
replacing damaged parts.
    The FAA also reviewed Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) 
A35P015-19, Revision 01, dated June 19, 2019. This material identifies 
affected airplanes for the Group 1 airplanes specified in EASA AD 2024-
0220.
    The FAA also reviewed Airbus AOT A35P023-24, Revision 01, dated 
July 25, 2024. This material identifies affected airplanes for the 
Group 2 airplanes specified in EASA AD 2024-0220.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 19 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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                                                                    Cost per
             Action                  Labor cost       Parts cost    product          Cost on U.S. operators
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Retained actions from AD 2020-   4 work-hours x $85           $0         $340  $5,440 (16 airplanes).
 02-14.                           per hour = $340.
New actions....................  4 work-hours x $85            0          340  $1,020 (3 airplanes).
                                  per hour = $340.
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                 Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
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            Labor cost                 Parts cost      Cost per product
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1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85..            * $0                  $85
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* The FAA has received no definitive data on the parts costs for the on-
  condition actions.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a

[[Page 44966]]

substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between 
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-02-14, Amendment 39-19828 
(85 FR 6757, February 6, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:

2025-18-06 Airbus SAS: Amendment 39-23133; Docket No. FAA-2025-0742; 
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00682-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 23, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2020-02-14, Amendment 39-19828 (85 FR 6757, 
February 6, 2020) (AD 2020-02-14).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Airbus SAS Model A350-941 and -1041 
airplanes, certificated in any category, having manufacturer serial 
numbers (MSNs) listed in Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) 
A35P015-19, Revision 01, dated June 19, 2019; and Airbus AOT 
A35P023-24, Revision 01, dated July 25, 2024.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35, Oxygen.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that during inspection of the 
installation of oxygen containers, certain fasteners of the oxygen 
containers and adjacent panels in the passenger supply channels 
(PSCs) were found damaged or unlocked, which could result in 
insufficient clearance between the oxygen container and adjacent 
panels. This AD was also prompted by a determination that additional 
airplanes may be affected by the same unsafe condition. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address damaged and unlocked fasteners of the 
oxygen containers and adjacent panels in the PSCs, which could 
result in insufficient clearance between the oxygen container and 
adjacent panels. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
prevent the opening of the oxygen containers and result in failure 
of oxygen masks to deploy and provide supplemental oxygen supply in 
case of an in-flight decompression, possibly resulting in injury to 
cabin occupants.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply 
with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2024-0220, dated November 20, 2024 (EASA AD 2024-0220).

(h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2024-0220

    (1) Where EASA AD 2024-0220 refers to ``09 September 2019 [the 
effective date of EASA AD 2019-0210],'' this AD requires using March 
12, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-02-14).
    (2) Where EASA AD 2024-0220 refers to its effective date, this 
AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (3) Where the ``Groups'' definition in EASA AD 2024-0220 
specifies ``Group 1 aeroplanes are those having an MSN as listed in 
the AOT1'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``Group 1 
airplanes are those having an MSN as listed in Airbus AOT A35P015-
19, Revision 01, dated June 19, 2019''.
    (4) Where the ``Groups'' definition in EASA AD 2024-0220 
specifies ``Group 2 aeroplanes are those having an MSN as listed in 
the AOT2'', this AD requires replacing that text with ``Group 2 
airplanes are those having an MSN as listed in Airbus AOT A35P023-
24, Revision 01, dated July 25, 2024''.
    (5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD 
2024-0220.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the material referenced in EASA AD 2024-0220 specifies 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
include that requirement.

(j) Additional AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, 
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of 
the Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, AIR-520, 
Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus SAS's 
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the 
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.

(k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Nicole Tsang, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3959; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Airbus Alert Operators Transmission (AOT) A35P015-19, 
Revision 01, dated June 19, 2019.
    (ii) Airbus AOT A35P023-24, Revision 01, dated July 25, 2024.
    (iii) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2024-0220, 
dated November 20, 2024.
    (3) For Airbus material identified in this AD, contact Airbus 
SAS, Airworthiness Office--EAL, Rond-Point Emile Dewoitine No: 2, 
31700 Blagnac Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 
61 93 45 80; email airbus.com">continued-airworthiness.a350@airbus.com; website 
airbus.com.
    (4) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA, 
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 
8999 000; email [email protected]. You may find this material on 
the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
    (5) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

[[Page 44967]]

    (6) You may view this material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on September 4, 2025.
Peter A. White,
Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-18087 Filed 9-17-25; 8:45 am]
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